Md. officer who fired 6 shots at suspect cleared

When police arrived, the suspect pointed a gun at the officer, who responded by firing his weapon six times

By Courtney Mabeus
The Frederick News-Post

BRUNSWICK, Md. — A Brunswick police officer who shot a man while on duty last November will not face criminal charges, Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie Smith said.

Officer Bryce McGuire has been back on the job since Dec. 11, Brunswick Police Chief Milton Frech said.

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office handled a criminal and internal investigation of the shooting at Frech's request, he said.

"The findings in the internal investigation was that McGuire was found to be in total compliance with all applicable sections of Brunswick Police Department's use-of-force policy," Frech said.

McGuire had recently graduated from the Frederick Police Academy. He and Officer Nino Yoingco went Charles Dinterman's home on East B Street shortly after 10:15 p.m. Nov. 27 for a report of a domestic situation. His wife told a dispatcher that her husband was intoxicated and breaking things.

When police arrived, Dinterman pointed a gun at McGuire, who responded by firing his weapon six times. Dinterman was flown to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and McGuire was placed on paid leave.

Smith's office reviewed the sheriff's office's investigation into the shooting. He said it was "very clear that criminal charges were not warranted" against McGuire in the case. The six shots were "a reasonable use of force by the police officer," Smith said.

"People need to understand that police officers are trained when there's a potential for deadly force that's presented against you, you respond with deadly force," Smith said.